3RD CLAY LESSON! (Pottery making)

Hi everyone! Sorry for the late post. Today I'm going to share about what I've learnt on Wednesday. For this lesson, our teacher demonstrated the whole process on how to make the base of a clay pot. First, we learnt how to use the Potter's Wheel.

We should always spin it anti-clockwise. Then I've learnt that it is important to have a good base. The thickness of the base should be around 1.5cm - 2cm thick, always mark out base with index finger with stable hands.

To get this round shape then use the sharp tool to cut out the extra clays to get a perfect circle base.

We learnt the usage of the extruder. The extruder should be clean and clear of clay before and after usage. If not, when the clay dries up inside, it will be hard for the next person using it.

We just place the clay into the extruder then pull it down to make coils like this.

Then our teacher taught us how to make coils without the extruder too.

We have to score the edges of the base upwards so that it will still be a circle.

And we will get this

 

Both base and coils must be score before we can join and stack them up together. 

Score, put clay slip to join and lock them together, then continue the same process until 3 layers of coils are joined together.

Score on the outside and the inside.

Use your hand to support so that the clay will not go out of shape.

Then use finger to smoothen it

Use this tool to centralize it and make it perfect both inside and outside.

And tadaa it is a perfect base.

After building the first 3 layers of the base, stop then use a hair dryer to blow dry it. 

Once it is close to dry, we put some wet clay around it for support because it might fall of when it is dry.

Then use a plastic bag to wrap it then keep it to continue in the next lesson. We haven't started on the clay pot yet but we are told to form into 2 groups to make the pot as a group. I'm looking forward to make the clay pot! Thank you for reading and goodbye!😊